The New England Patriots endured an abysmal 2024 season and entered this offseason with one of the most talent-deprived rosters in the league.
The team did well to add solid veteran talent in free agency, however. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive lineman Milton Williams. and cornerback Carlton Davis II were the biggest additions, and now the team has fewer holes than they did a month ago.
With the draft approaching, the Patriots are preparing to make their first selection at pick No. 4 in the first round. We know the team doesn’t need a quarterback, but almost every other position could be considered a need for the team.
Today, we’re going to identify the three prospects who make the most sense for the Patriots with the 4th pick.
Will Campbell, OL, LSU
Mike Vrabel is the new head coach in New England, and we know Vrabel likes to have a strong offensive line and ground game. This could lead to LSU’s Will Campbell being the pick here at No. 4.
Campbell is a strong lineman who excelled against talented SEC edge-rushers in college. The lineman earned a solid 72.2 Pro Football Focus grade for his 2024 performance and played all 861 of his snaps at left tackle.
However, there are some evaluators who believe Campbell should play guard in the NFL due to his shorter-than-desired arms. Luckily, the Patriots need both a guard and a left tackle, so they’d have options with Campbell.
If Campbell is the pick, expect the LSU product to get a chance at left tackle before eventually moving inside to guard.
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Abdul Carter might be the most talented prospect in the draft, but it’s not unrealistic to imagine the edge-rusher making it to the Patriots. If Carter is available at No. 4, expect the Patriots to break the record for the fastest time to turn in a pick.
The Patriots desperately need help on the edge. Harold Landry II was brought in this offseason, but the veteran has been inconsistent and is far from an elite pass-rusher at this point. Carter could immediately start opposite Landry and give the team a young, potentially elite talent to build around on defense.
In 2024, Carter racked up 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. The defender earned First-team All-American honors for his performance and cemented himself as one of the top prospects in the class.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
As mentioned above, Vrabel loves to build in the trenches. However, the Patriots desperately need pass-catchers, and the need may just be glaring enough for the coach to draft a wide receiver early.
Tetairoa McMillan is an elite, big-bodied target who has rightfully earned comparisons to Drake London and Mike Evans. The Arizona product is faster than you’d expect at his size, and has arguably the surest hands in the class.
In 2024, McMillan caught 84 passes for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns. The receiver earned First-team All-American honors for his impressive campaign and cemented himself as one of the top pass-catchers in this class.
In New England, McMillan would immediately step into the WR1 role and give Drake Maye a reliable downfield target.
Read the full article here
